(December 22nd, 2017) US Representatives Urge Ambassador Haley To Press China To Stop Blocking Taiwan Tourists From Entering The Un Building In New York / 美眾議員敦促美國駐聯合國大使海利應施壓中國停止阻撓台灣遊客進入紐約聯合國總部大樓

US REPRESENTATIVES URGE AMBASSADOR HALEY TO PRESS CHINA TO STOP BLOCKING TAIWAN TOURISTS FROM ENTERING THE UN BUILDING IN NEW YORK

In a letter dated December 22, 2017, Reps. Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) urge Ambassador Nikki R. Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, to use her good offices towards finding a solution for the predicament Taiwanese tourists that seek to visit the United Nations building in New York face.

According to news reports, China has managed to convince the United Nations to block Taiwanese tourists from entering UN headquarters in New York. Allegedly, this new policy was implemented after current Taiwan democratically elected president Tsai Ing-wen was inaugurated in May 2016.

The Representatives wrote: “As senior members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, we write to express our deep concern that Taiwanese tourists are being denied access to the United Nations building in New York. […] Today, Taiwan stands as an example of true freedom and democracy against Beijing’s authoritarianism and territorial ambitions.”

According to senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Bonnie Glaser, “Every Chinese diplomat is tasked to impede, block and hamper Taiwan’s international space whenever there is an opportunity…I do think we have to push back and not simply look the other way and maybe this is something that if it is not done too publicly we could influence how the UN is operating on this.” (Taipei Times, June 17, 2016.)

(In a related development, Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Minister Lee Ying-yuan was barred from attending the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) to the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Germany from Nov. 6-17; another manifestation of China’s bullying of Taiwan and of the community of nations.)

FAPA President Peter Chen says: “This action by the Chinese very much illustrates that there is no level the Chinese won’t stoop down to to humiliate and bully the people of Taiwan. We at FAPA have talked to Congressional offices on Capitol Hill about this predicament that Taiwanese tourists face, and each and every time, members of Congress and staff were filled with indignation. Solving this problem would be a small step for the US but a big step for the people of Taiwan towards more dignity and respect in the international community.”